Absorption refrigeration system



Dec. 26, 1950 A. A. BEREsTNEr-'F ABsoRPTIoN REFRIGERATION SYSTEM 2Sheets-Sheet 1 O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O OriginalFiled July 13, 1946 INVENTOR.

Dec. 26, 1950 A. A. BERESTNEFF 2,535,776

ABSORPTION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM Original Filed July 15, 1946 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. z'lw W BY Patented Dec. 26, 1950 UNITED zSTATESmexis 'A. *Berestneffl `:Syracusq `N. Y., Lassig'n'or to JCarrierl`Corporation, Syracuse, N. Y., `a 1cor-po- Lration of fiDelawarezoeigmei application July 13, :1946, .serial tNo. 683,387. Divied andthis .application May '27,

1'948, 'Serial No.n 29,526

ciuding'an limproved 'evaporator spray arrange- 35 ment.

The 1chie'f object of the present invention isto provide an `absorp'tionrefrigeration system including Varnovel and improved'spray arrangementfor 1distribu'ting refrigeran't in the evaporator. 19

An object of my'inven'tion'is to provide .an absorp'tion refrigerationmachine including a spray arrangement for sprayin'g .water intheevaporator soA designed as to assure uniform distribution of spray inthe evaporator without interference with 215 llashed vapor .arising.from the evaporator.

A further bjectisltoprovide an absorption refrigeration system includinga spray arrangement .of simpleand economical design Whihdis-.tribtesispray unifornilyiin the evaporator with- 20 out interference`:with iiashed vapor. Other ob- `jects of my invention will 'lbe readilyperceived from: the following. description.

This Ainvention relates to an absorption re- .frigerationsystemcomprising, incombination, a 25 horizontally eite'nding shell, anl.absorber ar- 'rangement `disposed Vin .the .shell and extending`longitudinally thereof, .an -evaporator arrangernent .in said shellabove the absorber arrangement. a second -horizontally extending shell w`placed abovesaid firstshell, a `generator arrangement `disposed .in.said zshell and .extending longi- .tudinally kthereof, .a .condenserdisposed in said second shell .above the :generator Varrangementl `meansfor withdrawing solutionfrom thegenera- 35 tor yand for forwardingsolution lto .the Aabsorber and means forcireulating solution from theab- V:iorber to the generator. Refrigerant is forwarded to thezevaporator, the refrigerant being Lflashflzcooled in-.the evaporator;the flashed vapor im :passesidowhward about `theevemorat'or to theabsorber to be :absorhed 'zby solution .therein In `:the generatorsubstantially the same Vamount of repor .is `boiled put, .passed to `theicondenser, .is

zcondensedzand returned'to .the Vchilled Water `circult. The rarefied'vapor jiin :the absorber evaporatorfshell servesito rinsulate the xevaporator from ithe ambient aimosphere. :Control .arrangementsareiprovidedforimaintaining thecapacity of and the concentration ofsolution z'in the system .as 5

well as pressure, temperature `iof .cooling water`andithe,how:offsolution:and of condensing water. ``:An improved .sprayJVarrozngement is provided 1to immit z-retrigerant to she iuniformly vdistributed throughoutitheievaporator. without interferem/e `5:5

3 Claims. (Cl. LZ-e) with flashed vapor arising from the levaporator. AEheat exehanger, flpreferably, is Lprovided *tofplace `the strong andweaklsolutions in *heat exchange relation lwitlrone anothertherebyidecreasing the 'cost of operation-of `1thel system. A

The "attached 1drawings iillustrate -ra preferred embodiment'offlmyinvcntion in ywhich Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating'theflow of solution through 'the -various melements of the -refrigerationsystem;

Figure `2 is a =view partly `in section .and partly in 4Aelevation"illustrating the spray arrangement forllsupplying *refrigerant 'to *theI'evaporatom Figure .3 is "a sectional vview taken on the *line 3-3 ofFigure'2`;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary Sectional view drawn to enlarged scaleto4illustrate 'the position ofthe nozzles 'in 'the spray .arrangem'ent 'ofFigure '2;

Figureis asectional view of the nozzle'shown in'Figure 4; 4

Figure 46 tis a A.plan view of the nozzle shown in Figures 4 and 5;

Figure? iis a sectional :view `ofa .modified spray arrangement; vandFigure 8 is a Sectional view 'taken 'on .the line 8-'8 .o`f.Figure7.

Referring to .the drawings, Athere .are `shown .horizontall-y -extending.drums or .shells .'2 and 3. shell 3 `preferalfily'being secured.inplace .above shell "2; shellZ -encloses a longitudna'lly extendingabsorber .arrangement Vtl zand .a longitudinally extending evaporatorarrangement 5 dispose above the .absorber 4. Chilled water treated' bythe system is cireulated by apump `t .through .an air conditionng deviceof .anyfldesired type .(not shown) andiis returnedfrom `the .air.conditioning .device zto .thelevaporator `5 .throughline `l. Thechilled Water is-.sprayed--in .evaporator V5 `.by `la suitable sprayarrangement .8, .the .chilled .water being flash vcooled in the:evaporator 4and being drawn. from the evaporator through line .9 -bypump 6 and again formar-:dell to zthe .air .conditioning device.

1 Shell 3 zencloses a `longitudinally Vextending generator arrangement:Hi .and va longitudinally extending condenser arrangement H disposedabove the generator em. Weaksolution is Vwithdrawn from absorber=4byzpuinp 12 through line 13 vand is `forwarded to :the ``Jgenerator I 0zthr'ough 0 lines 14, 15, .heat .exchangeiziz6 and line .II'L 1Arestriction Jia :may `Vbe .disposedin `line` l t5. VStrong solution is``vvithclranvn.from :generator JD .through line t9, uoverflow.'arrangement QI, lne Zl, :heat exehanger -l.6 :and 'line 22, :to .tan`ej ector .2 3.x-,whieh `forwardz's strong solutionothrough Jline.ia-.tombproperties. The term strong solution defines a solution whichis relatively deficient in refrigerant and consequently a solution whichpossesses enhanced properties of refrigerant absorption.

Various combinations of refrigerant and alosorber may be used in thepresent system. I have found that a solution consisting of lithiumbromide and water is highly satisfactory for use.

Other salt solutions may be used if desired in this system; when thissystem is operated at high temperatures (above freezing temperature) asolution of lithium chloride and water or a vsolution of sodiumhydroxide and water, 'for example, may be used. It will be understoodwhen the present invention is used to attain low temperatures aminonia,for example, may be used as a refrigerant.

A pump 25 passes cooling water through line 26 to the coil 21 ofabsorber 4 and then forwards the Water after its passage throughabsorber 4, through line 28 to the coil 29 of condcnser il. Afterpassage through the coil of condenser II, the water is discharged or, ifdesired, may be re-used as in the case of a cooling tower.

A line 35 is adapted to withdraw vapor condensate from condenser I l,the vapor condensate passing through a pre-cooler assembly 3i and thenbeing returned through line 32 to the evaporator 5. The condansatepre-cooler 31 may 'consist 'of a double pipe assembly in which a coolingmedium is passed in heat exchange relation with the vapor condensate.Pre-cooler BI is shaped in the form of a loop to maintain a secureliquid seal between shells 2 and 3 thus permitting different pressuresto be maintained in such shells without escape of vapor. v

A suitable purge arrangement 33 is provided to purge condenser ll andabsorber 4 of air or other non-condensible gases. Purge 33 may operateintermittently or continuously as desired. i Evaporator consists ofhorizontally extending side walls 34 and end walls (not shown) whichserve to form a box-like compartment 35, supported to the endwalls (notshown) of shell 2. Eliminators 33 are disposed adjacent the top ofcompartment 35 and extend longitudinally thereof. The eliminators 36serve to prevent any drops of water-entrained by the flashed vapor frombeing carried over to absorber 4 and return them to compartment 35. i

Spray arrangement 3 is disposed between the eliminators 35 and receivesrefrigerant (chilled water or the like) returning from the airconditioning device and discharges it in compartment 35. Sprayarrangement 8 as shown in Fig,- ure 2 consists of a header 31 whichextends longitudinally of compartment 35; preferably header 31 isprovided with a plurality of fanshaped spray nozzles 38 disposed onopposite sides'of header W. Nozzles 33 are disposed in a position suchthat the sprays are placed in a vertical plane. This particulararrangement provides an adequate surface of water for evapora- 4 tionand does not interfere with the vapor flowing upward. The result of thespray arrangement is a reduced entrainment of liquid drops or particlesby the vapor.

Header 31' preferably includes an inner pipe 39 (refer to Figure 4)having openings 40 therein, disposed in a second or outer pipe 4I whichcarries nozzles 38. Nozzles 38 are arranged on opposite sides of andadjacent the bottom of pipe di; the openings 4G in pipe 39 may bedisposed at the Sides thereof. This arrangement permits a reduction inapproach velocity of the water or other refrigerant entering header 31and assures adequate and equal distribution thereof among all thenozzles 38.

If desired, nozzles 38 may be disposed at an ,angle to permit the spraystherefrom to meet the wall 34 of compartment 35. If desired, the

nozzles may be adjusted in such manner that the sprays are absorbed bywater at the bottom of compartment 35. In either case, thearrangementreduces the amount of liquid entrained and permits flash cooling withoutinterference with the ashed vapor.

In Figures 7 and 8, I have disclosed a modifie form of spray arrangementin which the fanshaped spray nozzles are eliminated. In place thereof, aplurality of pairs of openings 42 `and 42' are formed in pipe 4!; theopenings of each pair are disposed at an acute angle from a perl.,pendicular line drawn therebetween and extend toward one another. Thespray arrangement'soV provided reduces the amount of liquid entrainedand permits flash cooling without interference with the flashed vapor.

It is desirable that the capacity be changed immediately upon change inload to attain most satisfactory operation. The temperature of thechilled water may be used to indicate a change in load since a decreasein the temperature thereof from a pre-determined point indicates thatthe load imposed upon this system has decreased. As the temperature ofthe chilledwater leaving the evaporator decreases the capacity of thesystem may be decreased accordingly vby throttling the volume of strongsolution passing to the absorber. 'I

For this purpose a valve 45 is placed in line l4 between ejector 23 andpump t2. Valve 45 is actuated by a thernfostat control 46 operated byfbulb 4' placed in or adjacent to line 9. As the temperature of chilledwater passing throughl line E* decreases, fluid in bulb 41 contracts;the control 423 in accordance therewith tends to move Valve 45 towards aclosed position, thereby decreasing the amount of Weak solution beingforwarded to generator IB through lines |5 and Il; proportionately tothe decrease in the temperature of the chilled water. Movement ofvalvefi45 toward a closed position also decreases propor; ticnately theamount of Weak solution passinghto ejector 23. The reduction in theamount of. weak solution passing to ejector 23 reduces the velocity ofsuch solution through the nozzle of the ejector and consequently asmaller quantity of strong solution is entrained or induced from line22. The throttling action of Valve 45 reduces the amount of solutionpassing to and returning from .generator iii and likewise reduces theamount of solution passing to ejector 23 and-forwarded to absorber 4. z

A valve 48 is provided in steam line 49 to control the amount of steampassing into the tubes of generator ill in accordance with the loadimposed upon the system. Valve 48 is actuated by thermostat control 53,operated in turn. by a bulb 5I, disposed in or adjacent to line I 9. Theamount of condensing water passing through condenser II is controlled bymeans of a valve 52 placed in line 53, actuated by a thermostat control54 controlled by bulb 55, disposed in or adjacent to vapor condensateline 30.

The present invention provides an absorption refrigeration systemincluding a spraying arrangement for spraying water in the evaporator sodesigned as to assure uniform distribution of Water throughout theevaporator and a uniform distribution of spray in the evaporator Withoutinterference with flashed vapor arising from the evaporator. Thespraying arrangement is economical in cost and may be readily installedin the system.

While I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention it Will beunderstood my invention is not limited thereto since it may be other-Wise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A spray arrangement which comprises a cylindrical member adapted toreceive a fluid, a second cylindrical member surrounding said firstmember, the longitudinal axis of the first member being disposed in aplane above the plane of the longitudinal axis of the second member toprovide space for the accumulation of fiuid in said second member, saidfirst member having a plurality of openings therein connecting theinterior thereof with the interior of said second member, said secondmember having a plurality of nozzles connected with said second memberadapted to discharge fluid in a series of substantially uniformsheet-like sprays, the openings in said first member being disposed asufficient distance above the nozzles of said second member to permitfluid to accumulate in the base of said second member adjacent thenozzles thereby reducing the turbulence of fluid flow in the secondmember and its velocity of discharge from said nozzles.

2. A spray arrangement which comprises a member adapted to receiverefrigerant, a second member surrounding said first member, thelongitudinal axis of the first member being disposed in a plane abovethe plane of the longitudinal axis of the second member to provide spacefor the accumulation of refrigerant in said second member, said firstmember having a plurality of openings therein connecting the interiorthereof with the interior ofV said second member, said second memberhaving a plurality of spaced openings therein arranged in pairs todischarge refrigerant in a substantially uniform sheet-like spray, theopenings of each pair extending through the Wall of the member towardone another and at an acute angle from a perpendicular line drawntherebetween, the openings in said first member being disposed asufiicient distance above the openings in said second member to permitthe refrigerant to accumulate in the base of said second member adjacentthe openings therein thereby reducing the turbulence of refrigerant flowin the second member and its velocity of discharge from the openingstherein.

3. A spray arrangement for distributing refrigerant in the evaporator ofan absorption refrigeration system which comprises a cylindrical memberhaving openings in the side thereof, a second cylindrical memberinclosing the first cylindrical member, said first member itslongitudinal axis disposed in a plane above the plane of thelongitudinal axis of the second member to provide space for theaccumulation of refrigerant in the second member, nozzles disposed onopposite Sides of and adjacent the bottom of the second member todischarge refrigerant in a series of substantially uniform sheetlikesprays, the openings in said first member being disposed a suflcientdistance above the nozzles of the second member to permit refrigerant toaccumulate in the base of the second member adjacent the nozzles therebyreducing the turbulence of refrigerant flow in the second member and itsvelocity of discharge from the nozzles.

ALEXIS A. BERESTNEFF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,078,636 Naylor Nov. 18, 19131,084 359 Potter Jan. 13s` 1914 1,173,279 Kinney Feb. 29, 1916 2,213,955De Freitas Sept. 10,. 1940 2,272,856 Thomas Feb. 10, 1942 2.298,924Bichowsky Oct. 13, 1942 2,372,309 Bichowsky Mar. 27, 1945 2,408,480 ReidOct. 1, 1946 having

